Many people often mistake moissanite for diamond. However, they are not the same. Learning the difference between diamond and moissanite will help you know each of these precious gems and make the right choice for your jewelry. So, what makes them different? Well, it all starts with their composition. Diamond is mainly carbon whereas moissanite is silicon carbide.
For the longest time, diamond is the known hardest substance to man. However, moissanite is now in the picture and many people cannot differentiate between them. Both gems are used in the jewelry industry, for scientific research and in industrial applications as well. All the same, they are unique and different in their way. In addition, diamonds are scarcer than moissanite.
Moissanite vs Diamond
Due to the close resemblance between moissanite and diamond, it is always important to understand what makes them look similar and find out their differences as well. While most diamonds are natural, moissanite is lab-grown hence a synthetic gemstone. Here is a detailed look into their properties that highlight the differences:
Diamond is still the hardest substance known to man. On the Mohs scale of hardness, it scores 10. On its part, natural moissanite scores 9.25. Therefore, they are close in terms of their strength and hardness. However, diamond is harder than this alternative and that is one of the key differences between them.
To achieve this hardness, manufacturers have improved their processes to produce lab-grown moissanite that is twice as hard as diamond.
Gemstones come in different colors and so do diamond and moissanite. Whereas both are white, there are variations of color specific to each. However, they all have a transparent and clear appearance. If you are using color to differentiate them, moissanite is yellow-white whereas diamond tends to have a blue shade on them.
This is yet another important quality of gemstones. In this case, moissanite has more fire and brilliance than a diamond. This is due to its high refractive index. Therefore, it reflects light landing on its surface better than a diamond. Moissanite's reflection of light is comparable to that of a mirror. For that reason, it is a perfect choice for jewelry just like diamonds. However, it has that extra touch of beauty and elegance.
Diamond is available in specific sizes and shapes. This is due to the specific mining procedures applied in its sourcing. However, manufacturers can easily cut moissanite into varying shapes and sizes. For instance, it has pear-shaped, oval and round shapes among many others. With the possibility of growing this stone in the laboratory, a variety of shapes is a huge possibility.
Diamond sourcing happens through mining. Therefore, it causes great harm to the environment and is a source of conflict in some areas. Therefore, it is not ethical to use. However, lab-grown moissanite is devoid of such harmful impact on the environment. Therefore, it is an ethical stone for various uses.
Lab-grown moissanite is readily available, unlike natural diamonds. Therefore, it has sufficient supply in the market hence affordable when compared to diamonds, which remains scarce over the years. As a result, it costs a fraction of the cost of diamonds of the same size. Therefore, it is a great option if you are working with a tight budget.
A diamond carat is the value of its weight. One-carat diamond weighs 200 milligrams. This value is divisible into smaller portions for varying weights. Dealers also similarly measure other stones using carats. However, a 1-carat diamond is heavier than the same size of moissanite.
Instead of using carat, dealers use millimeters to measure moissanite. If you are looking for lightweight applications and use, this stone will make a perfect alternative. Most importantly, it has almost similar properties of strength and hardness as a diamond.
Final Thoughts
Differentiating between these two stones is never an easy task for many people. However, that does not eliminate the fact that these two gemstones are different. Therefore, this information is vital in understanding the close similarities and differences that distinguish them. Today, moissanite is a great alternative to diamond due to its superior qualities.
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